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Joseph Phelps Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Fantastic new Joseph Phelps Napa Cabernet release. 92 Points Robert Parker: "Phelps is now producing three cuvées of Cabernet Sauvignon – their Napa Valley, their flagship proprietary red Bordeaux blend called Insignia (which they debuted in 1974), and their Oakville steep hillside vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon called Backus. The basic Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. It saw 18 months in a combination of both French and American casks. This is their biggest cuvée and it is a beauty. The 2014 is supple, with silky tannins, dark plum, blackcurrant and licorice-infused fruit with a touch of spice, a lushness on the attack and mid-palate, and a silky finish. This wine was meant for early drinking, but there is no doubt it has the concentration and overall balance to age nicely for 15-20 years... ...This classic Napa winery has undergone a facelift after many, many years, but perhaps the biggest change has been the huge investment they’ve made in the area of Freestone on the Sonoma Coast. This is where they focus on Chardonnay and, to a bigger extent, Pinot Noir, and the early returns look promising."
Ratings on Delectable
Carl Fischer 
Didn’t really have enough time for this to open up. Solid wine but will be better in a few years or with a decent decant. Dark fruits, oak, medium tannins and nice acidity. Decent selection for a restaurant that’s primarily a lounge.
Didn’t really have enough time for this to open up. Solid wine but will be better in a few years or with a decent decant. Dark fruits, oak, medium tannins and nice acidity. Decent selection for a restaurant that’s primarily a lounge.
9.0
Sipping Fine Wine
Founded in 1973 when Joe Phelps purchased a former cattle ranch near St. Helena in Napa, the winery now controls and farms nearly 375 acres of vines on 8 estate vineyards. Aromas of dried berry fruits and spice. On the palate of predominately Cab Sauvignon which sat in oak for 18 months, flavors of ripe berry, cacao and smoky nuts, firm sweet tannins on lingering finish ending soft. Will age well.
Founded in 1973 when Joe Phelps purchased a former cattle ranch near St. Helena in Napa, the winery now controls and farms nearly 375 acres of vines on 8 estate vineyards. Aromas of dried berry fruits and spice. On the palate of predominately Cab Sauvignon which sat in oak for 18 months, flavors of ripe berry, cacao and smoky nuts, firm sweet tannins on lingering finish ending soft. Will age well.
9.2
Thomas Brenner
Well integrated tannins, lush fruityness, sweet vanillin notes, overripe plums, juicy, dusty minerality ...my buddy says it smelled like Copenhagen chewing tobacco
Well integrated tannins, lush fruityness, sweet vanillin notes, overripe plums, juicy, dusty minerality ...my buddy says it smelled like Copenhagen chewing tobacco
9.1
WineMascot
2015, a little less heavy on the oak like the insignia, thus has good balance and is a value all things considered
2015, a little less heavy on the oak like the insignia, thus has good balance and is a value all things considered
9.0
Shay A
I snagged a few of these when we visited in February, as I remember the ‘14 being very open and plush. Those thoughts still remain here, but I must admit...at pop and pour, I was a bit perplexed. Very fruit forward (raspberry jam, blackberry, fig) and soft, but there was also a dirty/earthiness to it in the middle that threw me for a loop. Just didn’t seem like it belonged. On day 2, the structure and finish really beefed up and showed what I remember having a few months ago. More blueberries and spicy red fruit came in to play which added the ying to the mineral and earthy yang in the middle, and the finish was quite a bit more tannic. I’m saving a little to see how this shows on day 3. EDIT: Day 3 was like day 2 on steroids. This wine showed substantial tannic structure and the middle was quite a bit more complex. Worthy of 9.3+ if you hold/decant appropriately.
I snagged a few of these when we visited in February, as I remember the ‘14 being very open and plush. Those thoughts still remain here, but I must admit...at pop and pour, I was a bit perplexed. Very fruit forward (raspberry jam, blackberry, fig) and soft, but there was also a dirty/earthiness to it in the middle that threw me for a loop. Just didn’t seem like it belonged. On day 2, the structure and finish really beefed up and showed what I remember having a few months ago. More blueberries and spicy red fruit came in to play which added the ying to the mineral and earthy yang in the middle, and the finish was quite a bit more tannic. I’m saving a little to see how this shows on day 3. EDIT: Day 3 was like day 2 on steroids. This wine showed substantial tannic structure and the middle was quite a bit more complex. Worthy of 9.3+ if you hold/decant appropriately.
9.2
Aaron Means
Boring in a good way. Juicy, ripe blackberry-oak sauce. Hint of smoke. Tannins are drying. Lots of appeal, but not much for me. No complexity. Just high end simple Cab sauce
Boring in a good way. Juicy, ripe blackberry-oak sauce. Hint of smoke. Tannins are drying. Lots of appeal, but not much for me. No complexity. Just high end simple Cab sauce
9.1
Greg Ballington
Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog
Dark ruby. Rich nose with dark cocoa, black fruits, vanilla, and cinnamon. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) and full bodied. Well balanced with oak influences. Notes of a cigar box, black fruits, cocoa, vanilla and a little earthy. Long finish. Drink till 2026.
Dark ruby. Rich nose with dark cocoa, black fruits, vanilla, and cinnamon. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) and full bodied. Well balanced with oak influences. Notes of a cigar box, black fruits, cocoa, vanilla and a little earthy. Long finish. Drink till 2026.
9.1
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Nose of leaner red fruits of; blueberries, blackberries, dark cherries, dry earth & minerals and more nice red, fresh dark florals than most vintages. On the palate, M-M+ tannins, good presence of spice-box, savory meats, blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries, cherries, mocha powder, cigar, leather, cinnamon, clove, dry stems, underbrush, haunting presence of additional blue fruits as it sit on the palate & fresh acidity. The finish is leaner than the 13 and in general many other vintages. At this early stage, it's also drinking smoother with softer edges. Photos of one of the larger private tasting rooms and the outdoor patio on the front of their estate. The 14 vintage came very close to me giving it a 9.3.
Nose of leaner red fruits of; blueberries, blackberries, dark cherries, dry earth & minerals and more nice red, fresh dark florals than most vintages. On the palate, M-M+ tannins, good presence of spice-box, savory meats, blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries, cherries, mocha powder, cigar, leather, cinnamon, clove, dry stems, underbrush, haunting presence of additional blue fruits as it sit on the palate & fresh acidity. The finish is leaner than the 13 and in general many other vintages. At this early stage, it's also drinking smoother with softer edges. Photos of one of the larger private tasting rooms and the outdoor patio on the front of their estate. The 14 vintage came very close to me giving it a 9.3.
9.2David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Nice lime/lemon and cut grass. So refreshing on a warm day.
Nice lime/lemon and cut grass. So refreshing on a warm day.
9.2Alvaro Bustillos
Joseph phelps @ napa 7/16 Alex y nana
Joseph phelps @ napa 7/16 Alex y nana
9.0
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